Mueller Heads to California for Two Games with US U-20 WNT

CARSON, Calif. – Texas A&M sophomore defender Karlie Mueller was called up for her second stint with the United States U-20 Women’s National Team squad.

The United States U-20 WNT will face the Japan U-20 WNT at David Vanole Field of the StubHub Center in Carson on Thursday (Aug. 8) at 6 p.m. Central and Sunday (Aug. 11) at 2 p.m. Central.

The matches against Japan will pit the US, the team that won the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, against the country that hosted the tournament.

"It’s always a special honor to play for your National Team,” Texas A&M head coach G Guerrieri said. “I know Karlie is very excited to rejoin the team. More than 40 Texas A&M soccer players have received a National Team call-up over the years, and our coaching staff (Phil Stephenson, Lori Stephenson, and I) is honored anytime one of our players receives a call-up.”

Mueller first appeared with the U-20 team in May as she headed to Sweden for a pair of games. She played the entire second halves of a 3-1 win against the Sweden U-20 WNT and a 1-0 win against the Sweden U-23 WNT.

The Sioux Falls, South Dakota product appeared in 18 games with seven starts as a freshman in 2012. She helped anchor a defense that registered a school record 15 shutouts and registered a 0.49 goals-against average.

Mueller is the first native of South Dakota to play for the United States U-20 WNT.

The USA is preparing for the eight-team CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament that will send the top three finishers to the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada. The qualifying competition will be held from January 9-19, 2014 in the Cayman Islands.

Players born on or after January 1, 1994, are age-eligible for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.